Three key elements of Homicide
- Location
- Victim
- Suspect
OC Body Responsibilities:
Medical
Ensure death has been certified by a doctor or qualified paramedic
Note details of medical staff or others who have attended the victim
Scene
Secure and guard the body, and body samples and any exhibits related to the body with dignity and respect
Note and record observations relating to the body
Establish if body has been moved or disturbed
Record what actions have been taken by any party in relation to the body
Ensure body is photographed in situ and consider video recording
Movement
On authority of OC investigation arrange transport of body to mortuary
Maintain security and continuity of the body, samples and exhibits from the scene to the start of the post mortem
Key documents
Complete sudden death procedures
On authority of OC investigation arrange for formal identification of body
Obtain historical medical records of the victim for the pathologist
Post-mortem
Attend with the OC
Attend briefing of pathologist
Ensure police photographer takes photos at all stages of post-mortem, they will be directed by pathologist
Arrange for fingerprints and palm prints as required
Preserve evidence from body
Record, label and secure all samples and exhibits
Debrief
Attend debrief of pathologist and record findings, on direction of OC or pathologist
Ensure cultural responsibilities have been addressed
Information to obtain in order to effectively brief experts and interested parties
- actions of the first responders
- photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene
- identity of the body
- history of the body- including medical history, drugs found at the scene, action taken or developments since the discovery of the body
- timeframes relating to the finding of the body, the last sighting and other significant times that may impact upon time of death
- scope and priorities of the investigation
Appreciation prior to body removal
These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
- Notification to and response from, the Coroner
- Views of the pathologist, ESR forensic scientist and Crown Solicitor attending the crime scene
- Best method and route for the body removal, to minimise contamination of the scene or the body
- Supervision of the body removal
- Chain of custody of the body from the scene to the mortuary
- Safe custody of exhibits
Establishing if the body has been moved
Where the body has been disturbed:
- Do not attempt to restore the scene to its original unchanged condition.
- Make enquiries to enable the original unchanged scene to be subsequently reconstructed and photographed, if required.
Samples at the scene
Taking of such samples is advisable where evidence would otherwise be lost or contaminated by moving the body, such as:
- larvae and insects
- extraneous items such as loose hairs, fibres, glass, paint or other fragments
- potential fingerprint evidence from the skin on the body of the victim and/or items of clothing worn by the body, e.g. fine woven fabrics
- DNA swabs
- firearm residue samples.
Recording details and removing the body
Record all details of the position of the body including:
PAWDLE
- Position of the limbs
- Appearance of the body
- Wounds and clothing
- Direction of any trails of blood present on the body
- Lividity, if present
- Extent of rigor mortis present
Appreciation prior to post mortem
These factors should be considered in the appreciation:
• Identifying who should attend the post-mortem
- Authority from the Coroner to conduct post-mortem
- Consultation with the pathologist
- Safe custody of exhibits
- Appropriate resources at the post-mortem, for packaging exhibits and taking photographs
Primary role of the OC Body during a post-mortem
To observe, document and deal with exhibits associated with the body, in a structured, methodical manner.
Purpose of Post Mortem:
The primary reason for conducting a Post Mortem is to establish the cause of death.
Findings may also include:
- Mode and time of death
- Injuries or events at scene that may have contributed to the death
- ID the victim
- Nature and size of weapon
- Height and stature of suspect
- Areas of interest for interviews
- Negate defences
Police who should attend the post-mortem are:
- the OC investigation
- the OC Body
- a member specifically designated as exhibits officer for post-mortem, if required
- Police photographer
- SOCO, if required.
Particular consideration should be given to seeking authority from the Coroner for the following parties to attend the post-mortem:
- ESR forensic scientist
* Crown Solicitor.
Maori Culture
Of note only
In the case of homicide or serious crime involving a Mäori victim, an Iwi liaison Officer must be engaged as early as possible. This will support an understanding and awareness of the Mäori traditions, protocol and beliefs, and enhance relations between the investigation, family of the deceased and the Mäori community.
Duties at mortuary:
EEREA
- Ensure mortuary staff do not wash body
- Ensure body is labelled and secured in fridge
- Retain the key of fridge until it is required
- Ensure body remains in present condition until post mortem starts
- Arrange formal ID of the body
Methods of ID
- Facial reconstruction
- Fingerprints
- DNA
- Personal effects
- Medical records
- Dental records
- Eye examination records
Skeletal remains
When skeletal remains are found, a pathologist, with the assistance of a forensic anthropologist, can usually provide information such as:
- Whether the remains are actually bones.
- Whether the bones are human.
- The age, gender, height and race of the person.
Briefing the pathologist
The pathologist must be supplied with relevant information and material:
- Copy of the Notification to the Coroner (Pol 47).
- Medical records of the deceased, where available.
- Comprehensive photographs and/or video recordings taken at the scene.
- Medical Examination - MEK kit.
- Toxicology kit.
Taking notes
Of note only
The OC Body must not make any notes of discussions concerning the post-mortem
examination, unless specifically directed to by the OC Investigation and/or the pathologist.
Stripping the Body:
Body
- Remove body from fridge and assist mortuary staff to move to post mortem room
- Remove from body bag, causing minimal disturbance
- Take body bag, sheets and wrappings as exhibits
- The body must only be stripped in presence of pathologist
Exhibits
- Police photographer to take photos before and after clothing removed
- Remove clothing, trying to avoid cutting clothes and search pockets.
- Consider placing a fine sieve in the mortuary table drain hole to collect trace evidence
- Package and seal each item in a different bag or container
- Label each item of clothing and each possession
- Avoid cross contamination by ensuring exhibits do not come into contact with each other
Record
- Make inventory of clothing and possessions as it is removed
- Maintain security and continuity of the body and exhibits
Of note
Stripping of the body will take place immediately before the post-mortem examination commences, but must only be undertaken on the specific direction of the OC Investigation, generally after a visual examination and collection of evidence from the clothed body has been completed.
Photographing the body
In addition to photographs taken at the scene, the OC Body must ensure the photographer at the mortuary takes sufficient appropriate photographs of:
- Body, before it is stripped
- Body, after it is stripped
• Close up photographs of any wounds, marks, internal injuries and unusual features, including a measuring scale
Action after the post-mortem
The OC Body must hand all exhibits to the OC Exhibits, in order to maintain an unbroken chain of exhibit continuity and security.
They should also provide the OC Exhibits with:
- Exhibit Schedule
- Formal statement
- Notebook entries
Preparing the sudden death file
The OC Body must prepare the Sudden Death (1S) file and submit as soon as possible, so that a coronial inquest can be opened.
The file must include:
- POL 47/47A
- Deceased Person Certificate (Police form 265)
- Deceased Person Identification (Police form 265A).
- Formal Statement relating to the victim’s formal identification
